CONTROVERSIAL posters poking fun at Crewe are appearing on billboards all over the country.

Saatchi, the famous advertising company used by Margaret Thatcher, has come up with a campaign designed to promote the image of Bulgaria as a wine-producing region of quality rather than quantity.

But it has already run into trouble with the Church of England with a poster saying 'Jesus was born in a trough' and showing bottles of wine under which it reads: 'Does it matter where it comes from?'

It carries the same theme through to the Royal family, saying: 'The Windsors were born in Germany', and 'Bentleys are made in Crewe' does it matter where they come from?

A fourth one proclaims 'Audrey Hepburn's dad was a fascist.'

Although the campaign is a slur on Crewe, it has been welcomed by community leaders who believe any publicity linking Crewe with Bentley cars is a good thing.

Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council leader Peter Kent said: 'Saatchi may have thought they were taking the mickey out of Crewe, but most people these days realise it is a fast-growing, dynamic town with a future.

'Perhaps Saatchi don't employ people north of Watford but I think they have played into our hands by reminding people Bentleys are made in Crewe.'

Saatchi say the ads are designed to encourage consumers to try Blueridge wine and not dismiss it because it is Bulgarian.

A spokesman said: 'The campaign is hard-hitting but fun and the message is judge on merit and not origin.'

He added: 'It illustrates the most beloved of icons can come from the most inauspicious of backgrounds.'

Borough mayor Terry Beard said: 'I want the world to know Bentleys are made here and would like to thank Saatchi for giving us thousands and thousands of pounds worth of advertising for absolutely nothing.'

John Dunning, head of South Cheshire's Chamber of Commerce believes 'all publicity is good publicity.'